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The Swine Flu
Some say this is the big guy that started the Swine Flu Epidemic
The Swine Flu Epidemic is Spreading
4.30.09
Body aches, chills, headaches, and fatigue are just some of the symptoms of the dangerous epidemic spreading across the Southeast. Cases have been reported as far west as College Station, TX and as far east as Columbia, SC. This dangerous influenza has caught many off guard and at this time there is no known cure.
So where did this epidemic get started? It is believed that it started with a Hog in Fayetteville, AR. Last fall cases were reported on the Plains in Auburn, AL and in Baton Rouge, LA. Problem is that this year, the swine flu is likely to spread to many other cities in the southeast.
Coach Tuberville was one of the first victims of the Swine flu
Bobby Petrino is the man to blame for this epidemic. His "Power Spread" offense has just started to take form. Last season Head Hog played more freshmen than all but a couple NCAA teams. The transition from Houston Nutt's run oriented offense, to a balanced attack was tough at first, but started to show its potential by season's end. While the Hogs only went 3-4 in its last 7 games, 3 of those losses were in the final minutes and the 3 wins were over a top 20 Tulsa team, Auburn, and LSU. Typically, a young team that loses close games in one year will win those close games the next.
Only 3 starters were lost from last year's squad that finished 5-7. The biggest loss was former Rimington Trophy winner Jonathan Luigs. Luigs was a big loss at center, but the other losses should be easy to replace.
In his first 3 years QB Casey Dick showed no sign that he was a SEC caliber QB, passing for just over 3,000 yards. Year 4 under Petrino, Casey showed some sign of life passing for 2,586 yards but Dick made too many mistakes. Replacing Dick will be sophomore Ryan Mallett. The 6'7 252 transfer from Michigan was rated as the nation's #2 QB in the country coming out of high school by most(behind Jimmy Clausen of ND). In his high school career Mallett threw for near 8,000 yards and 72 TD passes. In the Arkansas Spring game Mallett came in and passed for 233 yds and 2 TD despite sitting most of the 2nd half.
Les Miles showing a bad case of the virus here as players try to help
If Mallett doesn't give opposing coaches chills, then maybe backup QB Tyler Wilson will. Wilson came to Arkansas last season after having offers from both Alabama and LSU. Many believe Wilson had a better spring than Mallett. In the Red vs White Spring Game Wilson went 23-35 for 301 yds and tossed 2 TD passes.
Headaches are being given to coaches who can't decide how to cover the multiple options Arkansas QBs have in the passing game. Leading the way is D.J. Williams, one of the nation's top tight ends. At 6'2 252, Williams led the Hogs in receptions last year with 61, despite only starting 8 games. Along with Williams will be a dangerous group of wide receivers. Senior London Crawford leads the group. LSU fans get a sick feeling in their stomach everytime they think about Crawford's game winning catch in Little Rock last season. Crawford is joined by Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, and Greg Childs. All 3 of these guys made significant impacts as freshmen last year. Lucas Miller and Reggie Fish are 2 more veterans who help give the Hogs plenty of depth at the WR position.
Houston Nutt Tells his players "Backup, I might be infected with the Swine Flu"
Opposing players are going to be very fatigued chasing the small, but speedy Michael Smith. Last season Smith only played 10 games, but still ended the year with 1072 yds rushing and 8 TDs. The pounding the small back took last year, will be helped by the fact that Petrino finally has some big back to relieve Smith. At Louisville Petrino showed a love for big backs with guys like Michael Bush. Now at Arkansas he has several to choose from. Broderick Green, Kniles Davis, and Ronnie Wingo are all bruising backs that will wear down defenses in the 2nd half. Not to be forgotten in the mix is D'Anthony Curtis(A rivals top 100 player) and Dennis Johnson(100+ yds against LSU last year).
Body aches will be felt when all 11 of Arkansas' leading tacklers return in 2009. Inexperience hurt the group in 2008, but a veteran defensive unit will lead in year 2 under Willy Robinson. Combined the group has 115 career starts. Joining this group will be a solid group of freshmen. Defensive back Darius Winston joins the Hogs defense after being rated one of the top players in the country by all services coming out of high school. Anthony Leon and Ruddel Crim are 2 more DBs that look to make an immediate impact for the Razorbacks.
The ol' Ball Coach even has a case of the swine flu
To make this influenza even more deadly, Petrino went out and hired a special teams guru in John L. Smith. The former Louisville and Michigan State head coach will take over the special teams coordinator position at Arkansas. Smith has near 20 years of head coaching experience and has always been noted as one of the best special teams coaches in the nation. The return game last year was solid, but to win close games Smith will have to help Kicker Alex Tejada become more consistent.
The Swine Flu Epidemic is only starting. Some areas of the southeast and southwest might be more effected by it this year. It won't be long though before the entire southeast catches the Swine Flu. Eventually it will be so strong citizens seeking shelter at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta will be infected.
Matt Barber
dixiefriedsports@gmail.com
